Synteliac ZCO

The Synteliac ZCO delivers very good speed, landing in the fast OFF- range. The Zyreema Carbon layers provide a noticeable catapult effect, helping generate pace on powerful loops and drives. It's not the absolute fastest blade, but it offers more than enough speed for aggressive play while remaining controllable.

Control is above average for a carbon blade. The construction provides a good amount of dwell, allowing you to feel the ball and impart spin effectively. While the carbon adds speed, it doesn't completely sacrifice touch, making blocks, pushes, and service receives manageable with proper technique.

The feel is crisp and direct, leaning towards medium-hard. You get a solid, clean impact sensation with minimal mushiness. The carbon layers add stiffness and a quick rebound, but the wood core provides enough absorption to prevent an overly harsh or brittle feeling.

The throw angle is medium, offering a versatile trajectory. It's not too flat for looping nor too high for driving, making it adaptable to different playing styles and techniques from both wings.

Dwell time is medium, which is typical for a carbon blade. It's sufficient for brushing the ball and creating spin, but the contact is quicker and more direct than a pure wood blade. This balance helps with both spin generation and shot speed.

The blade is on the stiffer side of medium. The carbon plies provide significant rigidity, resulting in a low-flex profile. This contributes to its direct feel and faster rebound, favoring driving shots over extreme brushing loops that require more blade flex.

Vibration is at a medium level. The carbon layers dampen some of the wood's natural vibration, resulting in a cleaner, more muted feedback. You still feel the ball contact clearly, but without excessive shock or buzz in the handle.

Andro's build quality is consistently good, and the Synteliac ZCO is no exception. The blade is well-crafted with even plies and a smooth finish. The handle is comfortably shaped, and the overall feel is solid and premium without any noticeable flaws in construction.